Courage and drive
Physical energy, ambition, competitiveness, decisiveness and the capacity to protect yourself and others.
Navagraha · Mangal
Mars in Vedic Astrology
Energy, courage, siblings, land and the drive to act.
Mangal is the commander of the planetary cabinet: courage, energy, competition and the will to fight for what matters. It rules land, property, siblings and technical skill. Well placed it gives drive and protection; afflicted it gives anger, accidents and conflict, and from certain houses it forms Manglik dosha.
Mangal · Mars
- Rules
- Aries, Scorpio
- Exalted
- Capricorn
- Dasha
- 7 yrs
- Day
- Tuesday
- Gem
- Red coral
- Nature
- Malefic
Free calculator
Find your Mars sign
Your Mars sign is the sidereal sign Mars occupied at birth. Mars spends about six weeks in a sign, longer when it turns retrograde.
What you'll see
- Your sidereal Mars sign and exact degree (Lahiri)
- Its nakshatra and pada, and the house it occupies
- Dignity: exalted, own sign, debilitated, combust or retrograde
- When your Mars Mahadasha and Antardasha run
- A reading for your exact sign and house
Where is Mars now?
Sidereal (Lahiri), IST · updated 18 Oct 2026, 2:15 am
Now in
♋ Cancer (Karka)
16.97° · Ashlesha pada 1 · Debilitated
Entered Cancer
18 Sept 2026, 4:35 pm
Next: Leo
12 Nov 2026, 8:18 pm
Next station: turns retrograde on 10 Jan 2027, 6:24 pm in Leo.
Understand Mangal
What does Mars represent?
Land and siblings
Property, real estate, younger siblings, and the brothers and comrades who stand beside you.
Skill and engineering
Technical and mechanical ability, surgery, sport, the police and the armed forces.
| Personality | Courage, energy, ambition, anger, competitiveness, decisiveness, physical strength |
|---|---|
| People | Younger siblings, the husband (in some traditions), soldiers, police, sportspeople, engineers |
| Body | Muscles, blood, bone marrow, head injuries, inflammation, fever, surgery |
| Work | Defence, police, engineering, surgery, sport, property and construction, fire and metals |
At a glance
Mars (Mangal) facts
| Sanskrit names | Mangal, Kuja, Bhauma, Angaraka |
|---|---|
| Rules | Aries (Mesha), Scorpio (Vrishchika) |
| Exaltation | Capricorn (Makara), deepest at 28° |
| Debilitation | Cancer (Karka), deepest at 28° |
| Moolatrikona | Aries 0°–12° |
| Friends | Sun, Moon, Jupiter |
| Neutral | Venus, Saturn |
| Enemies | Mercury |
| Aspects | 4th, 7th, 8th houses from itself |
| Directional strength (Dig Bala) | 10th house |
| Nakshatras ruled | Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishta |
| Vimshottari Mahadasha | 7 years |
| Nature | Natural malefic (krura); tamasic in temperament |
| Gender | Masculine |
| Element | Fire (Agni) |
| Day | Tuesday (Mangalvar) |
| Colour | Red |
| Gemstone | Red coral (Moonga). Traditional association; suitability depends on the whole chart. |
| Metal | Copper |
| Direction | South |
| Movement | About 45 days in each sign; up to six months or more when retrograde |
Sign by sign
Mars in the 12 signs
Sidereal signs. A full reading also weighs the house, aspects, conjunctions and the dasha.
Mars in Aries (Mesha)Own sign · MT
Own sign and moolatrikona. Bold, pioneering and quick to act; a natural fighter and starter. Impatience and temper need channelling.
Mars in Taurus (Vrishabha)
Steady, determined and possessive; energy goes into earning and building. Stubbornness and indulgence are the shadow.
Mars in Gemini (Mithuna)Enemy sign
Sharp-witted and argumentative; energy goes into debate, writing and many projects at once. Nervous strain is possible.
Mars in Cancer (Karka)Debilitated
Debilitated. Energy is emotional and defensive, often spent on family and home. Suppressed anger or moodiness need healthy outlets.
Mars in Leo (Simha)Friendly sign
Proud, courageous and commanding; a natural leader in competitive fields. Arrogance and dominance must be watched.
Mars in Virgo (Kanya)Enemy sign
Precise, hard-working and analytical; excellent for technical, medical or detailed work. Criticism can turn sharp.
Mars in Libra (Tula)
Energy flows into partnerships and negotiation; passionate in relationships. Conflict with partners is the challenge.
Mars in Scorpio (Vrishchika)Own sign
Own sign. Intense, strategic and resilient; strong for research, surgery and crisis work. Secrecy or vengefulness are the shadow.
Mars in Sagittarius (Dhanu)Friendly sign
Energetic idealist who fights for beliefs; adventurous and outspoken. Rashness in speech or travel needs care.
Mars in Capricorn (Makara)Exalted
Exalted. Disciplined, ambitious and highly effective; energy is used with strategy and stamina. Can be ruthless in pursuit of goals.
Mars in Aquarius (Kumbha)
Energy goes into causes, groups and innovation; inventive and rebellious. Coldness or sudden outbursts are possible.
Mars in Pisces (Meena)Friendly sign
Idealistic, compassionate action and spiritual effort; energy can be scattered or passive. Motivation follows meaning.
House by house
Mars in the 12 houses
Houses counted whole-sign from the Lagna. Needs a birth time.
- 1st houseBold, energetic and competitive with a strong body; injuries to the head and a quick temper are possible. Forms Manglik dosha.
- 2nd houseForceful speech and earning through effort or property; family arguments over money are possible. Manglik from some traditions.
- 3rd houseExcellent: courage, initiative, success through one's own effort and in competitive fields. Siblings can be rivals or protectors.
- 4th houseProperty and land, but restlessness at home and possible friction with the mother. Forms Manglik dosha.
- 5th houseSharp intellect, interest in sport, strategy and speculation; children may be few or energetic. Risk-taking needs restraint.
- 6th houseStrong placement: defeats enemies, wins litigation and competitions, good health and stamina. Excellent for medicine or law enforcement.
- 7th houseA passionate, assertive partner; quarrels in marriage need patience. A key Manglik placement.
- 8th houseAccidents, surgery or sudden events; strong research and occult interest. Inheritance disputes are possible. Forms Manglik dosha.
- 9th houseFights for beliefs; may differ with father or teachers. Energy for pilgrimage, law or higher learning.
- 10th houseDirectional strengthDirectional strength: drive, authority and career success in engineering, defence, sport or management.
- 11th houseGains through effort, property and influential friends; ambitions are realised. Elder siblings may be strong-willed.
- 12th houseExpenditure, foreign travel and hidden enemies; energy is best spent on spiritual practice. Forms Manglik dosha.
Read the whole chart
When is Mars strong or weak?
Strong
Exalted in Capricorn, in its own signs Aries or Scorpio, in the 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th house, or in the 10th with directional strength.
Weak or afflicted
Debilitated in Cancer, combust, or in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house where it forms Manglik dosha, especially without mitigation.
Planetary periods
Mars Mahadasha (7 years)
Action, competition, property and courage. Seven years that reward effort and initiative and test patience.
Often brings
- Land, property or vehicle gains
- Success in competition, sport, exams or litigation
- Promotion in technical, defence or managerial roles
- Courage to start something new
Can challenge
- Anger, arguments and impulsive decisions
- Accidents, cuts, burns or surgery
- Conflict with siblings or partners
- Blood pressure and inflammation
Best used for
- Buying property
- Physical training and sport
- Starting a venture that needs drive
Traditional practices
Remedies for Mars
Shared as cultural and devotional practice, not as a substitute for medical, financial or legal advice.
Beej mantra
Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah
- Recite the Hanuman Chalisa, especially on Tuesdays
- Donate red lentils (masoor) or jaggery on Tuesdays
- Channel energy into exercise and sport
- Practise patience in arguments
Gemstones are powerful in tradition and should only be chosen after studying the whole chart, never from one placement.
Common questions
Mars FAQs
What is Manglik dosha?
Mars in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house from the Lagna (and in many traditions also from the Moon or Venus) forms Manglik dosha. Several placements cancel it, and matching with another Manglik is the traditional answer.
Is Mars always bad?
No. Mars gives courage, protection, property and the will to succeed. It is a strong ally in the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th houses.
Why is Mars retrograde important?
Mars turns retrograde about every 26 months for around ten weeks. Its themes of action and conflict are revisited, so plans are reviewed rather than launched.
Which sign does Mars rule?
Mars (Mangal) rules Aries (Mesha) and Scorpio (Vrishchika).
Where is Mars exalted and debilitated?
Mars is exalted in Capricorn (Makara), most deeply at 28°, and debilitated in Cancer (Karka). Dignity is one factor; house, aspects and the dasha also shape results.
How long is Mars Mahadasha?
7 years in the Vimshottari system. Each of its nine Antardashas lasts in proportion to its lord's own Mahadasha years.
Which nakshatras does Mars rule?
Mrigashira, Chitra, Dhanishta. People born with the Moon in these nakshatras begin life in Mars Mahadasha.
Where is Mars now?
On 18 Oct 2026 Mars is in sidereal Cancer at 17.0°, in Ashlesha nakshatra. It moves into Leo on 12 Nov 2026.
Explore the other grahas
See Mars in the context of your whole chart
Your free Kundli shows all nine grahas, their houses, aspects, yogas and your Dasha timeline.